A silent tragedy unfolded along the Iranian‑Turkish frontier. A dozen young Afghans, many under 25, were caught by Turkish border guards after people smugglers pushed them into Van in mid‑January.
The group was lined up and beaten with iron rods; guards then locked them in a warehouse, offering only water and a single loaf of bread per day. While snow fell, temperatures dropped to -15°C, leaving the men and boys exposed for days.
Under the cold, the refugees suffered severe frostbite. Eleven of them lost limbs – one man’s hands and legs were amputated in a Kabul hospital – and at least 20 died from hypothermia.
Turkish officials have denied the allegations, insisting they followed legal procedures and provided necessary care. Meanwhile, Afghan activists and the Red Crescent lifted the men to Kabul for emergency treatment.
The incident echoes similar cases since 2021, when the Taliban takeover prompted Afghan migrants to take more dangerous routes through Turkey’s mountains, exposing them to harsh weather and violent push‑backs.
The images below capture the haunting aftermath, underscoring the urgent need for clearer protections for migrant and refugee populations on both sides of the border.
